Canadian universities face a complicated and uncertain future when it comes to funding, governance, and fostering innovation. Their leaders face an equally complicated future, attempting to balance the needs and desires of students, faculty, governments, and the economy. Drawing on more than a decade of service as president of one of Canada’s major research universities, Peter MacKinnon offers an insider’s perspective on the challenges involved in bringing those constituencies together in the pursuit of excellence.

Clear, contentious, and uncompromising, University Leadership and Public Policy in the Twenty-First Century offers a unique and timely analysis of the key policy issues affecting Canada’s university sector. Covering topics such as strategic planning, tuition policy, labour relations, and governance, MacKinnon draws on his experience leading the University of Saskatchewan to argue that Canadian universities must embrace competitiveness and change if they are to succeed in the global race for talent.

Peter MacKinnon is President Emeritus of the University of Saskatchewan and currently interim executive director of the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary.

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‘This book is insightful and valuable… it will be an important secondary source when the next draft of history is written.’

Historical Studies in Education Spring 2016

‘Everyone with a stake in the readiness of Canadian universities for a global talent race should engage in this book…. Highly recommended.’

Choice Magazine vol 52:11:2015

‘Peter MacKinnon provides thoughtful discussions of problems facing Canadian universities and proposes solutions which (though at times controversial) merit careful attention.’

Canadian Journal of History, vol 50:03:2015